Macon's C. Jack Ellis Denounces Racism

Former Macon Mayor C. Jack Ellis, who lost his bid to become the first mayor of the consolidated Macon-Bibb government, stepped in front of the media Friday to denounce recent acts of racism.

Standing in the dining room of his home on Monroe Street, Ellis said in the 11th hour of the campaign season “some sick person saw fit to put out one of the most despicable, racist fliers that I have ever seen in politics.”

“I would never under any circumstances in the past, now or in the future associate myself with any one or any such utterance be it spoken or written of that magnitude,” he said.

The Sunday before Tuesday’s runoff election, anonymous flyers urging support for African American candidates were placed on car windows in parking lots of black churches. The fliers characterized black supporters of white candidates as "sellout Plantation Nigras."

Ellis congratulated Mayor Robert Reichert on his victory. He also offered his help to Reichert, but said he’d like to make it clear that he is not looking for a job.

“I just want to help because I care about town, I love this city, this is where I was born and raised and hopefully this is where I will die and be buried,” Ellis said.